Eric Rickstad has carved out a distinctive niche in contemporary crime fiction, and The Six, the inaugural novel in his Remote series, demonstrates precisely why he’s become a New York Times bestselling author. This psychological thriller ventures into territories that most crime writers wouldn’t dare explore, weaving together elements of supernatural horror, government conspiracy, and intimate family drama into a narrative that feels both impossibly fantastical and disturbingly plausible.
A Serial Killer Unlike Any Other
At the heart of The Six by Eric Rickstad lies one of the most chilling antagonists in recent thriller fiction. The Tableau Killer doesn’t simply murder families—he arranges them in meticulously staged scenes, binding them to chairs in precise geometric patterns before conducting what can only be described as grotesque experiments. Rickstad’s genius lies not in the gore, but in the psychological architecture underlying these crimes. Each tableau serves a purpose that slowly reveals itself through the narrative, transforming what initially appears to be the work of a deranged mind into something far more sinister and methodical.
The killer’s methodology evolves throughout the story, from separate rooms to circular arrangements to facing chairs, suggesting a scientific approach to his madness. This progression keeps readers constantly unsettled, never quite knowing what fresh horror awaits the next family. The author’s background research into FBI procedures shines through in these scenes, lending an authenticity that makes the fictional horrors feel uncomfortably real.
The Unlikely Partnership at the Story’s Core
FBI Special Agent Lukas Stark embodies the traditional law enforcement protagonist—methodical, evidence-based, and deeply skeptical of anything that can’t be explained through conventional investigative techniques. His eighteen-month pursuit of the Tableau Killer has yielded nothing but dead ends and mounting frustration. Enter Gilles Garnier, a man claiming to possess remote viewing abilities—the power to psychically observe people, places, and events from vast distances.
Rickstad expertly navigates the tension between Stark’s empirical worldview and Garnier’s seemingly impossible claims. The dynamic between these characters forms the emotional backbone of the novel, with Stark’s gradual acceptance of Garnier’s abilities mirroring the reader’s own journey from skepticism to reluctant belief. Their partnership feels authentic because neither character fully trusts the other initially, creating a realistic foundation for their eventual collaboration.
What makes this relationship particularly compelling is how Rickstad avoids the typical “believer versus skeptic” trope. Instead, he presents two damaged individuals who need each other’s expertise to confront a threat neither could handle alone. Stark’s traditional investigative skills prove just as crucial as Garnier’s supernatural abilities, creating a balanced partnership that respects both methodologies.
Remote Viewing and Government Conspiracies
The novel’s exploration of remote viewing draws from real historical programs like Project Stargate, lending credibility to what could easily have become pure fantasy. Rickstad’s portrayal of the government program that created “The Six”—a group of psychically gifted children raised in isolation—feels grounded in the documented excesses of Cold War-era experimentation.
The revelation that the remote viewers were not simply recruited but potentially manufactured in laboratories adds a deeply unsettling science fiction element to the story. This twist transforms the narrative from a supernatural thriller into something approaching horror, as the implications of creating human beings specifically for their psychic abilities become clear. The program’s casual disposal of “failed” subjects adds another layer of institutional evil that extends far beyond any individual killer.
Garnier’s gradual realization that he and his fellow subjects may have been created rather than born provides one of the novel’s most emotionally devastating moments. Rickstad handles this revelation with remarkable restraint, allowing the horror to emerge through character reactions rather than exposition.
Technical Mastery and Atmospheric Control
Rickstad’s prose style perfectly complements his dark subject matter. His sentences carry a weight that reflects the gravity of the crimes being investigated, while his dialogue crackles with tension and authenticity. The author’s background in writing literary fiction shows in his character development—even minor figures feel fully realized rather than mere plot devices.
The pacing deserves particular praise. Rickstad builds tension methodically, allowing readers to absorb the implications of each revelation before introducing new complications. The alternating perspectives between the killer, the investigators, and the victims create a three-dimensional view of the central mystery without sacrificing momentum.
The crime scenes themselves are described with clinical precision that makes them more disturbing than graphic violence would be. Rickstad understands that what the imagination supplies is often more horrifying than explicit description, and he uses this knowledge to maximum effect.
Character Development and Emotional Depth
Where The Six by Eric Rickstad truly excels is in its character work. Stark’s personal life—his relationship with his wife Sarah and eight-year-old son Francis—provides crucial emotional stakes that extend beyond professional obligation. When the killer threatens Stark’s family directly, the story becomes intensely personal in a way that elevates it above typical police procedurals.
The killer, known only as “Q,” emerges as more than a simple antagonist. His desperate search for identity and family connection, twisted though his methods may be, adds tragic dimensions to his character. Rickstad doesn’t excuse Q’s actions, but he provides enough backstory to make him understandable as a product of institutional abuse and manipulation.
Garnier’s deteriorating health throughout the story adds urgency to the investigation while highlighting the personal cost of his abilities. His gradual weakening mirrors his growing emotional investment in stopping Q, creating a race against time that operates on multiple levels.
The Darkness That Defines the Narrative
One of the novel’s most effective motifs is its use of darkness—both literal and metaphorical. The killer operates exclusively in shadow, using darkness as camouflage against both conventional surveillance and remote viewing. This creates an atmosphere of perpetual unease, where safety depends on maintaining constant illumination.
The metaphorical darkness runs deeper, encompassing the moral ambiguity of government programs that treat human beings as expendable resources. Rickstad explores how institutional evil can create individual monsters, suggesting that Q is as much victim as perpetrator. This moral complexity prevents the story from falling into simple good-versus-evil patterns.
Strengths That Elevate the Genre
The Six by Eric Rickstad succeeds on multiple levels that distinguish it from standard thriller fare:
- Authentic Technical Detail: Rickstad’s research into FBI procedures, remote viewing programs, and forensic investigation creates believable foundations for extraordinary events.
- Complex Moral Questions: The novel doesn’t provide easy answers about justice, institutional responsibility, or the ethics of psychic experimentation.
- Genuine Character Growth: Both Stark and Garnier change significantly throughout the story, with their partnership forcing each to reconsider fundamental assumptions about reality and methodology.
- Atmospheric Control: The pervasive sense of dread maintains consistent tension without relying on cheap shock tactics.
- Genre Integration: The blend of police procedural, supernatural thriller, and conspiracy fiction feels organic rather than forced.
Areas for Critical Consideration
While The Six by Eric Rickstad largely succeeds in its ambitious goals, some elements may challenge readers:
- Pacing in the Middle Section: The story occasionally slows during exposition-heavy sequences, particularly when explaining the remote viewing program’s history.
- Coincidence Dependence: Several plot developments rely on convenient timing or chance encounters that strain credibility.
- Resolution Complexity: The ending introduces multiple plot threads that feel somewhat rushed in their resolution.
- Supernatural Elements: Readers primarily interested in realistic crime fiction may struggle with the psychic aspects, despite their grounding in historical precedent.
The Broader Context of Rickstad’s Work
The Six represents a departure from Eric Rickstad’s earlier standalone novels while maintaining his signature exploration of family dynamics under extreme pressure. His previous works, including Lilith and I Am Not Who You Think I Am, established his ability to blend psychological insight with suspenseful plotting, skills that serve him well in this more fantastical context.
The novel also draws comparisons to the work of authors like Preston & Child (Pendergast series) and John Connolly, who similarly blend supernatural elements with crime fiction. However, Rickstad’s approach feels more grounded in recognizable government overreach and documented historical programs.
Setting Up the Series
As the first book in the Remote series, The Six by Eric Rickstad does substantial world-building work while telling a complete story. The revelation that other members of the original six psychic subjects remain at large provides clear setup for future installments without feeling like a cheap cliffhanger.
The relationship between Stark and Garnier, forged through their shared trauma and mutual respect, creates a strong foundation for ongoing adventures. Their different approaches to investigation—empirical versus intuitive—promise continued tension and growth in subsequent volumes.
Final Assessment
The Six by Eric Rickstad stands as a remarkable achievement in contemporary thriller fiction, successfully integrating supernatural elements into a grounded police procedural without sacrificing believability or emotional impact. Rickstad’s willingness to explore the darker implications of government experimentation while maintaining focus on human relationships creates a story that resonates on multiple levels.
The novel works equally well as a standalone thriller and as the beginning of what promises to be an exceptional series. Readers who approach it with open minds will find themselves drawn into a world where the impossible becomes terrifyingly plausible, and where the greatest monsters are often those created by human institutions rather than supernatural forces.
For fans of supernatural crime fiction, government conspiracy thrillers, or simply well-crafted suspense, The Six by Eric Rickstad delivers an experience that lingers long after the final page. It’s a book that respects its readers’ intelligence while never forgetting the fundamental obligation of thriller fiction: to thrill.
Recommended Reading
Readers who enjoy The Six by Eric Rickstad should consider:
- The Pendergast Series by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child – Particularly the early novels featuring supernatural FBI investigations
- The Charlie Parker Series by John Connolly – Dark crime fiction with supernatural undertones
- The X-Files novels by various authors – Government conspiracy meets paranormal investigation
- The Sigma Force Series by James Rollins – Science-based thrillers with conspiracy elements
- The Joe Ledger Series by Jonathan Maberry – Military/law enforcement encounters with impossible threats
The Six earns its place among the finest examples of supernatural crime fiction, proving that the genre still has fresh stories to tell and new ways to terrify readers while making them think.
